In the world of sports, fads often come and go with the seasons. Yet, every so often, a phenomenon arrives that doesn’t just pass through, it moves in and starts rearranging the furniture. Enter Pickleball.
What began as a niche curiosity has sparked a noticeable migration across the local sporting landscape. It is a demographic shift that is as fascinating as it is diverse. We are seeing seasoned tennis veterans trading their heavy rackets for paddles, basketball players looking for a high-intensity but lower-impact thrill, and golfers finding a new way to spend their afternoons. Perhaps most impressively, even individuals who previously claimed no athletic bone in their body are finding the sport both exciting and, crucially, manageable.
The energy surrounding the sport was palpable recently at the Pickleball Champions League (PCL) Asia Rising Stars U19 Sectional Tournament held at Pickletown in Lanang, Davao City.
Former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann, now at the helm of Kosmas Athletic Ventures Corporation graced the occasion to lend his firm’s support for the sport. Kosmas aims to become a national leader in developing, managing, and sustaining world class sports and wellness environments. As a private sporting group dedicated to promoting a variety of disciplines, they have identified Pickleball as a cornerstone of its mission.
The attendance in Pickleball tournament in Lanang was more than just “encouraging”—it was a statement. The sport is no longer just a hobby; it’s becoming a lifestyle. This was underscored by the stakes of the Davao tournament, where winners in the Under-19 division earned more than just trophies—they secured a ticket to Rising Stars Finals on Hainan Island, China, in April this year.
The trajectory for Pickleball is pointing straight toward the stratosphere. Currently being studied for inclusion in the SEA Games and Asian Games, there is even serious talk of it appearing as a demonstration sport in the 2032 Olympics.
Understanding that the future of any sport lies in the youth, the Kosmas group, under Bachman’s leadership, is moving with clinical precision. They are collaborating with scholastic groups, specifically the Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS) under Jimmie-Leo Dela Vega and Mr. Noli Ayo of LPU-Davao, to weave Pickleball into the official scholastic calendar of private schools. The ultimate goal however is for it to be integrated to the PE classes of Department of Education. It’s target are students for both elementary and high schools.
Bachmann a veteran of the sports world knows that a house is only as strong as its foundation. “To start the sport on the right footing,” as the mantra goes, requires more than just players ; it requires a professional infrastructure. Training for officials, coaches, and referees is already being prioritized to ensure accreditation is in order before the first serve of the inaugural student tournament in Davao City.
In a recent meeting with school officials, Bachmannpledged his company’s full support, promising the logistics, equipment, and supplies necessary to “test the waters” in the city’s schools. It is a vital initiative, though not without its hurdles. Bachmann is currently navigating the complex waters of the national governing bodies of the Pickleball sports, two of which currently claim jurisdiction, a fractured reality that is, sadly, all too common in Philippine sports.
Yet, if anyone can bridge these gaps, it is Bachmann. His tenure as PSC Chairman has left him with the political capital and the “strong bond” needed to move the needle, particularly within the BARMM region and the greater Mindanao area.
As the paddles clack and the community grows, one thing is certain: Pickleball won’t be just a fad in Davao. With the right backing and a focus on the youth, it’s migration is guaranteed and Pickleball is here to stay.
